MONROE, CT — Abdou Sarr, 35, wore his colorful homemade jacket, while teaching children drumming and dance moves in the concert area of Wolfe Park Friday morning.
Sarr, a native of Senegal in West Africa, who moved to the United States in 2007 and lives in Wendell, Mass., visits schools and libraries, where he shares stories of his homeland and gives life lessons, like sharing.
“It’s good to do what you love to do,” Sarr said.
On Friday, Sarr told the children he did not grow up with toys, so he had fun learning art and dancing from his mother. She also taught Sarr to make clothing and he makes jewelry out of wood chips. He trades his wares with friends for drums made with hollowed out wood and goat skin.
As a boy, rather than deciding what he wanted for breakfast, Sarr ate what was offered to him, then walked to school, where there was no cafeteria — and a long line to go to the bathroom.
“I’m a good fisherman. I swim really well. My dad taught me,” Sarr told his audience, adding he is also good at soccer.
He performed during Summer Fun Days’ weekly theme: Legends of Great Hollow, which featured story telling, hiking and plays. Parks and Recreation Director Missy Orosz said the kids also made trail mix.
